An international pitch competition that bills itself as “the greatest startup show on Earth” is coming to Minnesota for the first time.

On May 9, CodeLaunch will hold a competition at the Fillmore in Minneapolis where six startups will showcase their ideas before an audience and panel of judges. Four of the businesses are based in Minnesota.

The six startups will participate in a “three-tiered elimination round” at the event, according to a news release issued this week. The winner will get a chance to compete in a world championship in November.

The six startups participating in Thursday’s competition are:

• Minneapolis-based GoNo Food Finder, developer of a recommendation engine and mobile app designed to help individuals’ medical conditions and wellness goals.
• St. Paul-based Vet Specialists On Demand, or VSOD, an app that connects veterinarians with specialist providers via chat, phone, or video
• Minneapolis-based SayKid, a voice-interactive robot designed to teach children
• Apple Valley-based StoryForge, a platform designed to help writers get published
• Houston, Texas-based Hair Hub, an app featuring styling methods for Black hair,
• Frisco, Texas-based WelcomeHome, an app that consolidates product instructions, warranties, and other documents for homeowners.

CodeLaunch events are known to be highly produced spectacles. The effort was first launched in 2013 in Frisco by entrepreneur and investor Jason Taylor. At the time, it was housed under his custom software development firm called Code Authority. Six years later, Plano, Texas-based IT services firm Improving acquired the company and the startup competition.

On his LinkedIn profile, Taylor describes CodeLaunch as “part competition, part raucous event and trade show.” Unlike popular TV show Shark Tank and some other pitch competitions, participants CodeLaunch don’t have to relinquish equity. They also don’t have to pay to compete. Though finalists don’t take in any direct financial awards at this stage, CodeLaunch pairs each startup with free services from IT consulting firms to help lay the groundwork for their ideas. The organization also maintains that participation can pave the way for future seed funding down the road.

Those that make it to the final world championship stand to take home a $50,000 investment, a spokesman said via email.

Reed Robinson, founder of early stage venture firm Groove Capital and longtime local startup booster, said having the competition come to Minnesota is a good thing for the entrepreneurial scene here. CodeLaunch’s presence in Minneapolis “reinforces that this is a compelling place for early stage technology innovation and activity,” Robinson said.

CodeLaunch’s next stops are in Canada in August and Mexico in October.

Tickets for Thursday’s events are still available.